To be candid, I have read only the first forty pages (so far) of Edwin Evans's 'Handbook to the Vocal Works of Brahms', published in 1923 and Part I of his extensive multiple-volume study of the music of Johannes Brahms, but -- at first blush -- I am very impressed.

I should be forthcoming and state that I write as a non-classically trained (i.e., unqualified amateur), devoted lover of Brahms's music since childhood and early adolescence -- and am, therfore, also biased.

Based upon what I have read so far, it is hard to conceive Evans could not have devoted so so much of his time and musical expertise to Brahms's music had he not loved Brahm's music -- the vocal works, in the case of this volume, "preceded by a didactic section" that is accessible to the lay reader (but valuable to the professional musician), informative, and balanced. The reader will find no dry pedantry in these pages, I am convinced, despite having whetted my appetite.

I have not come across any musical notation so far (although I have just started the book), if you are a potential reader who has undue concerns about needing any background in music theory.

Evans respects Brahms's vocal works and leaves the German lyrics for the Lieder and texts of the choral works -- such as Brahms's Opus 45 masterpiece, his 'German Requiem' -- intact, but goes to great lengths to provide excellent English translations.

I see this "handbook" (a diminutive word for such a noble contribution to early 20th century Brahms scholarship) as, again, an accessible, informative, cohesive, and very enjoyable introduction to Brahms's vocal works (and I believe Brahms has at timed been neglected as a master of Lieder, for example, which is inaccurate and a disservice to Brahms's stature and to listeners, whether to live vocal performances or recordings -- and I can think of a single recording of Brahms's complete Lieder on a multi-volume CD set, without checking (and hoping more exist).

I realize I should have written a review after completing at least most of Edwin Evans's book, but I admit that I am obsessed with Brahms's music, reading multiple books at a time and, at this moment, I'm listening to Brahms's first symphony.

I did not want to hesitate in recommending Edwin Evans's "handbook" and hope others enjoy it as much as I currently am.

Cordially,

David Dickerson